Going back to school for every family can be a difficult transition after a carefree summer. However, for some of the youth and families in Youth Villages programs, going back to school can be a financial burden filled with stress and anxiety. For the past seven years, the Youth Villages’ Back-to-School Drive has been able to alleviate that stress.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and volunteers, the 2016 Back-to-School Drive was a remarkable success. Youth Villages New England was able to distribute backpacks filled with new school supplies to more than 330 children in our neediest families. We could not have done it without your tremendous support.

Youth Villages’ Danielle Pendleton, family intervention specialist, had the opportunity to see first-hand the impact that a backpack can have on a family.

I have been working with this family for a few months and the last four years has been filled with ups and downs. The three children were removed from the home and both parents worked hard to bring them all home. Mom and Dad went through many challenges, made significant progress individually and together, and after three years in foster care, the children returned to their parents’ home in June 2016.

Mom and Dad work diligently to provide for their children. Nevertheless, it was clear that the cost of going back to school for three kids would be a financial strain. All three children returned to the home with little clothing. Getting clothes for two growing boys and a teenage girl can get expensive very quickly, adding to the cost of backpacks and school supplies. However, Youth Villages was able to support this family with the backpacks and clothes through its Back-to-School Drive.

When I brought the backpacks and clothes to the family, the parents began to tear up. Both were overwhelmed by the generosity and they continue to express gratitude. The whole family was so grateful and appreciative, knowing that the children would have incredible backpacks that would last them a long time, and brand new outfits for school. The boys were extremely excited that their backpacks included tissues! Their teen daughter was so happy to open up her bag and see so many personal touches, including a purse fit for a 14-year-old girl.

The family continues to thank me for these items at our weekly sessions, and they were so excited to show me they were using the school supplies when they got home from school!

Thank you to everyone who donated, shopped and took the time to care about this family and the many families across New England this September!

Candace Albritton is a deeply spiritual person with a big singing voice steeped in traditional gospel. As a residential counselor at the Youth Villages Deer Valley Campus in Linden, Tennessee, she makes singing part of her everyday work with the boys in her program, fusing fun and therapy.

Candace moved to Tennessee in October 2014 from her home state of Florida specifically to work with young people at Deer Valley and to pursue her licensure as a mental health counselor, which staff can pursue at Youth Villages for free while working their regular jobs.

However, she says adjusting to her new surroundings took time. From the start, she immersed herself in working with the boys, building trusting relationships with them, helping them change their perspectives on their lives and doing anything she can to help them succeed. Most of the boys Candace works with are between the ages of 13 and 17. Many of them have histories of trauma along with emotional and behavioral issues. Candace naturally enjoys connecting older children with community resources for when they leave the campus and helps others get ready to join Job Corps or other programs once they leave home.

When she finds it hard to connect to a youth, she employs her “work buddy” Tucker the Turtle, a snuggly stuffed-toy version of a turtle, to help her get boys out of their shells and open up about their feelings. Candace has a host of “work buddies” to help her relate to the boys and build trust. More than anything, Candace enjoys being a safe person to the boys who helps build them up and gives them the security they need to talk about those things they may have never shared with anyone before.

Candace also mentors a youth who has left Deer Valley but continues to write and call Candace for her nurturing support.

A talented singer who grew up singing in her dad’s church, Candace truly found a new home in Tennessee when she auditioned and was selected for the renowned Tennessee Mass Choir. The choir has sung with Al Green and recently shared a stage with Foreigner, among others. Candace spends three Saturdays a month in Memphis for rehearsals and goes on the road with the choir for concerts.

Candace shares her passion for music with the boys she works with, breaking into song or rap whenever they have the chance.

“We’ll sing anything,” Candace says. “From ‘Mary had a little lamb’ to rap songs. The kids all love Eminem, so we sing some of his songs.”

Candace, who listens to gospel and Jill Scott at home, had to seek out Eminem songs to become familiar with the singer and his repertoire.

“I’d go home and look up his songs, and I discovered they’re good and I like them,” she says. “He’s good at story telling and talks about overcoming struggles, so that’s something our boys relate to.”

Through songs, the boys also relate to Candace and one another.

“We sing every day we’re together,” she says. “Before or after group, during free time – any time.”

Most of the boys on campus name music as a favorite coping skill. When they’re upset or sad, they turn to music to help calm their emotions, lighten their mood or reflect on their feelings.

Candace says her goal is to help all the Deer Valley youth she works with to become “a bright ray of sunshine or color and a unique someone” by the time they leave campus.

For many of the boys, Candace is the ray of light that helps them find hope and allows them to shine again.

Tyler and his Skittles portrait are featured in the Skittles Super Bowl 50 television commercial, in which Tyler comes face to face with a portrait of himself made entirely of the candy. Bidders can bid on the replica Skittles portrait at www.SkittlesPortrait.com starting Sunday evening until Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. CST.

Proceeds from the auction will support Janie’s Fund, Tyler’s partnership with private nonprofit Youth Villages that raises money and awareness to help Youth Villages provide trauma-informed care to girls who have histories of being abused and/or neglected.

Tyler’s hit song “Janie’s Got a Gun,” originally released Nov. 8, 1989, was born out of a growing desire to speak up for victims of child abuse. Each year, 1 in 5 girls in the United States experiences sexual abuse. For more information, please visit www.JaniesFund.org or call 901-251-5000.

Thanks to the generosity of supporters, Youth Villages fulfilled the holiday wishes of more than 430 youth in need from approximately 140 families participating in our New England programs – including 86 adolescent girls living at the Youth Villages – Germaine Lawrence Campus.

Several specialists who work with youth and their families, across Youth Villages programs, shared some heartwarming stories about how the gifts from Holiday Heroes made a difference this holiday season:

This year I was able to refer a family at the last minute to Holiday Heroes because the family was in desperate need of holiday help. Mom had recently obtained a part-time delivery job and she does the best she can with what she has. Mom is balancing work and caring for her three children, all younger than seven. Her oldest is autistic and needs additional care and support, putting an additional strain on Mom.

The Holiday Heroes Elves were able to get all the children what they needed and wanted. All one daughter wanted was a baby doll, which she got, and winter clothes and boots. A second daughter is obsessed with “Frozen,” and she got these adorable boots with Elsa on them, a doll and other “Frozen” items and clothes.

Mom was so happy and thankful when I called her to tell her that we received the gifts and that I would bring them by in time for Christmas.

Thank you to all of the supporters of Holiday Heroes for donating to this amazing program. This family and so many other families are so grateful for the gifts that they received this holiday season!

-Lindsay Beitman, Family Intervention Specialist

I had the pleasure of dropping off gifts to a family that had recently reached its goals and completed its work with Youth Villages. When the mother laid her eyes on the four bikes, she lit up with joy. This is a woman who I have rarely seen smile and she was grinning like this was the best day of her life.

She said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” over and over again, and helped me bring the bikes into her friend’s house to store until Christmas morning.

This mother struggles as a single mother with four children and, although she works full-time, there never seems to be enough money to buy any extras, let alone Christmas presents.

Mom informed me that this would be the “best Christmas,” and she could not wait until the children saw the bikes and other presents.

Thank you so very much for your generosity. It is people like you that give families hope, joy and happy memories. From the bottom of our hearts, we at Youth Villages thank you very much.

-Sara Chappell, Clinical Supervisor

A young woman I work with has had a ton of disrupted foster home placements as a child and adult. She told me before that she never felt like she had a home.

We talked about what would make a place a home for her. She said it was be a place where she could put her “stamp” on it – her personality. With the gifts she received from Holiday Heroes, she kept saying “this is what home must feel like” and “I really want to live here for a while.” Now she is reaching out for support when difficulties arise to ensure she can maintain her placement.

Thank you to all of the Holiday Heroes that supported the young adults in YVLifeSet!

Tasha, 14, shared with her counselor that her pets were her only friends. When she felt threatened or angry, she would begin to behave like a cat.

“Tasha was allegedly touched inappropriately by a boy at school, and this is when the behaviors began,” said Karissa Winfrey, courtyard supervisor at Youth Villages’ Girls Center for Intensive Residential Treatment. “Tasha feels like an outsider.”

Tasha’s been at Youth Villages’ Girls Center for nearly a year. In that time, counselors and staff have helped Tasha, giving her skills to cope with situations and events that would formerly trigger her negative behaviors.

“We let her have that pretend-time because that was important for her,” said Katelynne McClung, Youth Villages’ residential therapist. “But she also began to see there was a time for that and a time to be in the present with everyone else.”

Tasha learned how to communicate her feelings and manage her emotions, especially the negative ones.

“Children who go through trauma at a young age have an extremely difficult time regulating their emotions,” Katelynne said. “Tasha’s worked hard here, and we remind her about all of the things she’s learned so she can care for herself.”

She’s a totally different child now. Tasha will soon discharge and return to her parents, who adopted her at a young age.

Megan suffered neglect from her parents who had an extensive history of drug abuse. She once went a full year without attending school and was subject to long periods of time with no supervision.

“She lacked basic hygiene skills and simple social skills,” said Youth Villages Residential Therapist Elizabeth Parker. “She was also defiant and had a difficult time when she didn’t get what she wanted.”

In fact, Megan laughed at the judge who ordered her to residential treatment. Her defiance also manifested in physical and verbal aggression, but it was different.

“Because of her lack of social skills, her defiant threats were often out of context,” Elizabeth said. “They were taken seriously at her school and here at the Center, but we could tell that wasn’t the real Megan.”

The real Megan was scared and embarrassed. Just 14, she was the youngest girl in her group at Youth Villages. She thought she had to act tough or she would be bullied.

“Megan was introverted, but she wants to be included in things,” Elizabeth said. “The older girls in her group were kind to her and helped her along.”

Coupled with intensive counseling and real-life skills training, Megan learned how to take care of herself. Her self-confidence improved as well.

“Now she dresses nice and fixes her hair,” said Carman Mayham, courtyard supervisor at the Girls Center. “She uses her coping skills to manage her emotions when things get challenging, and she’s made a huge leap in just a short time being here.”

Musician Steven Tyler announced today the launch of his new signature philanthropic initiative to help girls who have been abused and neglected: Janie’s Fund.

A partnership with private nonprofit Youth Villages, Janie’s Fund will raise money and awareness to help Youth Villages provide trauma-informed care and experiential therapies to girls who have histories of being abused and/or neglected.

Tyler’s hit song “Janie’s Got a Gun,” originally released Nov. 8, 1989, was born out of a growing desire to speak up for victims of child abuse. Each year, 1 in 5 girls in the United States experiences sexual abuse.

“As a father and grandfather, I want to focus my energy on things that really matter and leave behind something else in this crazy world along with my music,” Tyler said. “I am starting Janie’s Fund to give a voice to the millions of victims who haven’t had one and encourage everyone to join me on this mission.”

Janie’s Fund kicks off with “54 days of impact” running from Nov. 8, the 26th anniversary of the release of “Janie’s Got a Gun,” through the end of the year. Anyone who signs up to support Janie’s Fund during these 54 days becomes a founding member of the fund and receives limited-edition merchandise from Tyler. Fans can visit www.Prizeo.com/StevenTyler to become a founding member and register for a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Tyler through Prizeo.

The Ultimate Rock Icon Experience with Steven Tyler prize includes walking the red carpet and VIP backstage passes to Tyler’s new solo album release party and concert as well as hanging with Tyler before and after the show. In addition, founding members are recognized in perpetuity on www.JaniesFund.org.

Youth Villages will use Janie’s Fund to support its work with girls who have been abused and neglected, including in intensive in-home services, residential treatment services, YVLifeSet services for girls aging out of foster care, and experiential therapies such as therapeutic drumming. During the past 10 years, the organization has helped more than 20,000 girls who have experienced abuse and/or neglect and expects to help nearly 4,000 such girls this year in its programs in 12 states and Washington, D.C.

“Youth Villages is thrilled to work with the legendary Steven Tyler to help fulfill his dream of helping these most vulnerable children in our country,” said Patrick Lawler, CEO of Youth Villages. “We use the latest science on children’s developing brains and what works to help them heal from trauma. We appreciate Steven using his big voice on these girls’ behalf.”

Tyler, the songwriter and voice of the best-selling American rock band Aerosmith, has been a philanthropist his entire life, performing at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway.

Ashley’s often told by staff at Youth Villages’ Girls Center for Intensive Residential Treatment that she’s worth the moon and the stars, and no one has the right to treat her as if she’s less than that.

Ashley, 12, was referred to Youth Villages through the juvenile court system. She was abused by family members and told by her mother to recant her testimony. She was also trafficked by her mother. As a result, she sought out older boys.

“She knew something was wrong,” Erin said. “She knew that this wasn’t a part of being 12 years old.”

Erin and Youth Villages staff helped Ashley first to overcome her shame and began to work on her self-confidence. She also had to learn that what happened to her wasn’t her fault.

“Ashley worked so hard to get better,” Erin said. “She was enthusiastic and always on board with what she needed to do.”

Ashley is angry at her mother, but she doesn’t hate her.

“She’s come to a very healthy place in that respect,” Erin said. “Ashley’s very smart and has reached a level of understanding of her issues that few her age would.”

“I left Germaine Lawrence in December of 2011, and I have been self-harm free ever since. It was a long road to recovery that I am still walking, but with the love of my family and the support I receive through therapy and Youth Villages LifeSet, I know it’s only up from here. I am not weak because of my past. I am wiser, less selfish and more determined to make a change because of it.” – Ruby, Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence Campus alumna

Two hundred and fifty guests showed their support for Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence Campus at our Women of Excellence Event at the Sheraton Boston Hotel on Tuesday, October 20th. The event raised more than $137,000 to support the work the Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence Campus is doing to improve the lives of adolescent girls. Event proceeds will also go to supporting the campus with extra curricular and experiential learning outings, which help the girls build confidence, develop new skills and find joy in learning. Thank you to our event co-chairs, Sabrina Baloun-Kavet and Stephanie Spector and to the Women of Excellence Event Committee for their dedication to Youth Villages-Germaine Lawrence and for the time spent making this event a great success.

Thank you to Ruby for sharing her story about how the Germaine Lawrence Campus helped her on her path to success and Tegan for allowing us a view into her journey to stability and independent living.

We’re grateful to former Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley for helping us recognize the 2015 Youth Villages Women of Excellence honorees for their important work advancing the lives of girls across Massachusetts: Nurys Camargo, Bethany Casarjian, Ph.D., Neena McConnico, Ph.D., LMHC,Lily Konowitz. See full bios.

Hello. I want to thank the lovely people at Youth Villages for asking me to speak today. It is an amazing opportunity and I appreciate being able to share my story and what I’ve learned from years of treatment. I want to start by saying that I do not consider my story to be a sad one. I choose not to place emphasis on the depression, pain, and suffering I faced as a teenager, but rather on the fact that I am a survivor. My story is one of survival and success. I look back now and smile at how far I have come, and how strong I had to be in order to get where I am today.I am not the same girl I was in high school. In high school, I faced numerous challenges and had not yet grown into a woman who could handle them effectively. I struggled with depression, self-harm, and suicidality, and ultimately required hospitalization. After my first round of hospital level care, I relapsed about a year later. My second time around, I was discharged from Children’s Hospital’s psychiatric ward to the Browning Building at Germaine Lawrence. I lived first at Browning, and then at Merck, and I am eternally grateful for the treatment I received at Germaine Lawrence.

When I first arrived there, I was having a very difficult time. I was suffering from dissociative episodes, in which I would lose touch with reality for a while. The best way to briefly explain that, for people who don’t know, is that my body couldn’t take the strong emotions I dealt with on a day to day basis, and so my mind shut down as a manner of self-defense against those feelings. It was a scary time for me, and most definitely for my loved ones. Germaine Lawrence helped me develop coping skills to combat my dissociative tendencies. For example, as strange as it sounds, I used carry around frozen oranges on days when I was having a rough time. The coldness in my hand helped keep me aware and present. Coping mechanisms like this enabled me to remain in a rational state of mind, and I still use them on days when I feel emotionally overwhelmed. However, I am happy to say that I have not suffered from a dissociative episode for a few years now thanks to the skills I developed at Germaine Lawrence, along with years of practice in identifying my emotions and handling them safely and effectively.

Germaine Lawrence also did a wonderful job at working with my family. I didn’t know how to communicate when I was struggling to my parents. It was painful to talk about, and I can imagine that they didn’t enjoy hearing about it either. The staff helped me come up with a scale, and corresponding coping skills, that made check ins much easier. Instead of asking how I was doing, my mother could simply ask what number I was on my scale. This helped astronomically with our communication, and enabled her to help me help myself.

Towards the end of my stay at Germaine Lawrence, I had made improvements but I was still having a hard time. I had a massive support network, yet each day was a battle. I would get through the day, go to sleep, wake up and fight again. However, after a visit with my younger brother I had what I like to call a treatment epiphany. I didn’t want to spend my life in treatment centers. I wanted to stop surviving, and starting living my life. I knew I had a long way to go, but I found the extra strength I needed to start pushing towards my recovery goals. The ultimate goal? To get discharged, and never have to come back. I left Germaine Lawrence during the December of 2011, and I have been self-harm free ever since. It was a long road to recovery that I am still walking, but with the love of my family and the support I receive through therapy and Youth Villages LifeSet, I know it’s only up from here. I am not weak because of my past. I am wiser, less selfish, and more determined to make a change because of it.

I am a success story, and while it is easy to just look at that fact, the sad thing is that many young women and men are not. I have personally lost friends to depression and suicide. Friends who attended the same treatment programs I did. The issue is not in the residential programs that exist, but rather a lack of support upon discharge from the hospital. Leaving a residential unit does not mean someone is all better. Therapy is not always enough support to continue progressing in treatment. I had an amazing team of people fighting along with me, and I still struggled sometimes. Mentoring programs and organizations like Youth Villages can be the difference between improvement and regression.

Youth Villages has helped me to cultivate who I am as an individual and grow into an independent adult. If you ask my parents, they will tell you I am a much more self-reliant person now than I ever have been. I am happy, healthy, and at a point where I can start using my experience to help others. I personally want to thank the women who are being recognized today for all the hard work they are doing. You are providing a necessary support to numerous children, and helping them make better lives for themselves for the future. Works like these do not get recognized enough, and as someone who has relied on similar programs, thank you.

Melissa Joan Hart plays a board game with boys at Youth Villages’ Bartlett Campus during her Oct. 6 visit. See more photos below.

Melissa Joan Hart, actress famous for her roles in “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” “Clarissa Explains It All” and “Melissa & Joey,” visited Youth Villages’ Bartlett Campus today to meet children receiving help there and give out gifts from her King of Harts boys clothing line. In addition to providing the boys with King of Harts gifts, Hart visited with girls receiving help at Youth Villages’ Girls Center for Intensive Residential Treatment.

“I had a wonderful visit with these amazing kids today,” Hart said. “Family is something very important to me, and I love the work Youth Villages is doing to strengthen families by providing care and love for these children who need it so much.”

A member of Youth Villages’ board of advocates, Hart selected Youth Villages as a charity partner for her King of Harts clothing line and appears in a fundraising television spot for Youth Villages.

“We love Melissa because she really cares for the kids we are helping at Youth Villages,” said Youth Villages CEO Patrick Lawler. “She has a big heart for kids and families and is a wonderful advocate for our work. The kids were so excited to visit with her today, and we are really grateful for all the ways she helps us.”

Hart and her husband, Mark Wilkerson, have three sons and launched the King of Harts boys clothing line in 2014. After noticing a gap in the marketplace for cool, casual, functional boys clothing, the design duo was inspired to start their own line. King of Harts launched in spring 2015 with the Montauk collection, each season’s styles take their cue from a city where Hart and her family have traveled. The Fall 2015 collection was inspired by Lake Tahoe, where Hart and her family spend much of their vacation time. Highlights for the season include colorful plaid flannels, unique graphic tees and denim in rugged washes. Prices range from $25- $82, and the collection is sold exclusively on www.kingofharts.com. Hart chose Youth Villages as the line’s charitable partner, with proceeds from the collection’s Louie Tee supporting Youth Villages’ programs.

]]>https://youthvillages.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/melissa-joan-hart-visits-with-children-at-youth-villages-bartlett-campus/feed/0youthvillagesMelissa Joan Hart plays a board game with boys at Youth Villages' Bartlett Campus during her Oct. 6 visit. See more photos below.https://youthvillages.wordpress.com/2015/10/06/melissa-joan-hart-visits-with-children-at-youth-villages-bartlett-campus/